There’s something reassuring about dining in Trafalgar Square. It’s busy, central, and rarely quiet, but every now and then, a restaurant manages to carve out its own atmosphere within it. Thai Square does exactly that.
Set just moments from the movement of the square itself, the restaurant feels like a step away from it all. Inside, the tone shifts quickly, warm lighting, polished interiors, and a sense of calm that immediately slows the pace of the evening. It’s elegant without being overly formal, the kind of space that works just as easily for a midweek dinner as it does for something more occasion-led.
The Setting: Open, Airy, and Beautifully Detailed
Thai Square leans into a more refined interpretation of Thai dining, and the space reflects that. The dining room opens out generously, creating a sense of airiness that feels rare for such a central London location. There’s nothing cramped or enclosed about it. Instead, the layout allows the room to breathe, giving each table space while still maintaining a sense of atmosphere.
What stands out most is the use of florals. Soft, elegant arrangements are woven throughout the space, adding texture and warmth without feeling overdone. They soften the room, catching the light and creating a setting that feels polished but still inviting. Combined with the low lighting and rich tones, it creates a dining room that feels quietly elevated, somewhere you can settle into without distraction.
To Start: Fresh, Sharp, and Full of Flavour
The meal begins with scallops, and it’s a strong opening. Spicy, fresh, and well balanced, they deliver exactly what you want from a first course, something that wakes up the palate without overwhelming it. The heat is present but controlled, allowing the natural sweetness of the scallops to come through.
From there, the salads bring a shift in texture and substance. The tiger salad is far from what you might expect from the name. Less about leaves, more about depth, it arrives packed with generous cuts of meat, bold flavours, and a richness that makes it feel closer to a main than a side.
Alongside it, the soft shell crab with mango salad stands out immediately. The portion is generous, almost unexpectedly so, with crisp, golden crab that delivers on texture as much as flavour. Paired with fresh mango, carrot and a bright, slightly tangy dressing, it strikes that balance between indulgent and refreshing. It’s the kind of dish that quickly becomes a talking point on the table.
Mains: Rich, Comforting, and Done Properly
For mains, the tone shifts into something more indulgent.
The tofu green curry is rich and fragrant, with a depth of flavour that builds gradually. The tofu holds its texture well, absorbing the sauce without losing structure, while the spice level sits comfortably in that sweet spot, warming rather than overwhelming.
The beef panang follows with a slightly deeper, more intense profile. Creamy, aromatic, and layered with spice, it leans into that comforting richness that defines a good panang. The beef is tender, the sauce full-bodied, and paired with jasmine rice, it becomes exactly the kind of dish you want to take your time with.
Portion sizes across both dishes feel generous without tipping into excess. It’s satisfying, indulgent, and balanced enough to carry the meal without feeling heavy.
Drinks: Light, Refreshing, and Well Matched
The drinks offering complements the food naturally.
An elderflower fizz cocktail adds a lighter, more floral note to the evening, a refreshing twist on a champagne serve that works particularly well alongside the spice-led menu. It’s bright, clean, and easy to return to between courses.
Mocktails follow the same tone. A lychee tea and iced milk tea both land at just the right level of sweetness, offering a softer contrast to the heat of the dishes. They don’t feel like an afterthought, which makes a difference.
To finish, mint tea and English breakfast tea provide a simple but effective close to the meal, helping to reset after the richness of the mains.
Dessert: A Balanced Finish
Dessert keeps things grounded.
The mango sticky rice delivers exactly what you want, soft, fragrant rice paired with fresh mango and just enough sweetness to round things off without pushing too far. Alongside it, coconut ice cream adds a lighter, cooling element, bringing balance back after the depth of the meal.
Together, they offer a clean, satisfying end, indulgent enough to feel like a proper dessert, but restrained enough to leave you comfortable.
Service: Warm, Attentive, and Effortlessly Timed
What ties everything together is the service.
From the moment you arrive, the team are welcoming and genuinely friendly, creating a tone that feels easy rather than overly formal. There’s a natural attentiveness throughout the meal, with staff present when needed but never intrusive.
What stands out most is the pacing. There’s no sense of being rushed, each course arrives with enough space in between to enjoy the table properly, allowing the meal to unfold at your own pace. It’s a detail that makes a noticeable difference, particularly in a central London setting where things can often feel more hurried.
It allows you to relax into the experience fully, rather than feeling like you’re moving through it.
The Verdict: A Reliable Standout in Central London
Thai Square Trafalgar Square does something that’s often overlooked in central London, it delivers consistency with a sense of atmosphere.
It’s refined without feeling inaccessible, generous without being excessive, and well paced from start to finish. The menu moves confidently between fresh, spice-led starters and richer, more indulgent mains, while the drinks and desserts tie everything together without complication.
For a location that could easily rely on footfall alone, it offers far more than expected. Whether it’s a planned dinner, a catch-up, or somewhere to settle into after a long day in the city, it holds its own.
And in a part of London that rarely slows down, that sense of balance is exactly what makes it worth returning to.
Locations:
- Thai Square Trafalgar Square
21–24 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5BN - Thai Square Covent Garden
166–170 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8JB - Thai Square The Strand
148 Strand, London WC2R 1JA - Thai Square Mansion House
1 Great St Thomas Apostle, London EC4V 2BH - Thai Square Minories
136–138 Minories, London EC3N 1NT - Thai Square South Kensington
19 Exhibition Road, London SW7 2HE - Thai Square Putney Bridge
2–4 Lower Richmond Road, London SW15 1JN
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